Schubert's B flat Sonata, in about 24 hours

[robertus]

I'm due to play this piece.....I played it years ago, and it went down well then. But now I'm worried that it will bore people to death, especially in the 2nd movement.

Anyone here have experience on making this piece convincing in a live situation?

[brogers70]

What has changed since you last performed it and it was well received? Have you lost interest in the piece? Do you think audiences have shorter attention spans now than they did then? Personally, I love the piece, and I think the second movement is one of the most beautiful things ever written. The whole sonata is full of love of life and nature, the fear of impending death, tenderness, wistfulness, resignation. But if you are worried that it will be boring, then maybe better just to pick something else.

[robertus]

What has changed since you last performed it and it was well received? Have you lost interest in the piece? Do you think audiences have shorter attention spans now than they did then? Personally, I love the piece, and I think the second movement is one of the most beautiful things ever written. The whole sonata is full of love of life and nature, the fear of impending death, tenderness, wistfulness, resignation. But if you are worried that it will be boring, then maybe better just to pick something else.

It's a different time (the last performance was 10:30am, and the Sonata was the whole recital). This time, it will be late (starting at about 8:45pm), and it's the second half of a program (the first half will be a dozen Schubert lieder- then the people will have had a light meal- including drinks- during interval).

So, yes, I feel that this particular audience will have a shorter attention span....

   

[brogers70]

It's a different time (the last performance was 10:30am, and the Sonata was the whole recital). This time, it will be late (starting at about 8:45pm), and it's the second half of a program (the first half will be a dozen Schubert lieder- then the people will have had a light meal- including drinks- during interval).

So, yes, I feel that this particular audience will have a shorter attention span....

 

In that case, depending on whether you already have them performance ready, you might think of dropping that sonata and replacing it with some of his Impromptus. They are also beautiful, and they are less demanding to listen to, I think. I do think you are right, and audience with full stomachs, a non-zero blood alcohol, and a late hour may not be right for such a long, serious piece.

[robertus]

In that case, depending on whether you already have them performance ready, you might think of dropping that sonata and replacing it with some of his Impromptus. They are also beautiful, and they are less demanding to listen to, I think. I do think you are right, and audience with full stomachs, a non-zero blood alcohol, and a late hour may not be right for such a long, serious piece.

Good idea! Maybe 3rd and 4th movements of the Sonata , then few impromptus (G flat, C minor, F minor, B flat).

[ego0720]

…then the people will have had a light meal- including drinks- during interval).

So, yes, I feel that this particular audience will have a shorter attention span....

From your description is the spotlight on you or are you adding to their socialization experience?  I listened to the song YouTube (19-42 minutes?). From the perspective of someone not really into classical.. I found it interesting in building up the tempo. The first 1-2 phase or movement where u r building up to that I liked too but if your audience already been worked you probably can go straight to the faster tempo. I wouldn’t go straight but I had to skip some of the YT videos bc it was long. People usually give you 5-15 seconds so I would gauge the point where u began slow phase for that time. You do need the very slow beginning as introduction but somehow transition smooth to the end of first phase. And proceed to the faster movements.

However that should be a spontaneous decision based on where the audience is at with the previous players. I liked it. I am not completely uninitiated but my experience with classical pieces is limited as of now.

Update: noticed date was March 17th so hope that went well.

[lelle]

How did the performance go?

[robertus]

How did the performance go?

Very well, actually! I played the whole Sonata (as advertised)  making just a small abridgement to the second movement (skipping about 16 bars on the last page), which seemed to be getting boring. And included a fairly long spoken introduction about how it was his last testament to the world, his fear of death, and vision of the afterlife, etc.

I then followed it (as an encore) with the Liszt arrangement of the Marche Militaire- which, in retrospect, was a mistake, as it seemed to cheapen things a bit and wreck the atmosphere.

It's definitely a wonderful work, and (despite its length) seemed to work well with a fairly average non-specialist audience. 

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[anacrusis]

I played the whole Sonata (as advertised)  making just a small abridgement to the second movement (skipping about 16 bars on the last page), which seemed to be getting boring.
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Congratulations on the performance. But please don't cut stuff The audience can handle 16 more bars of that movement. If we try to adapt to what the audience might want we just become endlessly confused and anxious IMO. Let them hear what you have to offer and let them take it or leave it.